Local Heating through the Application of a Thermoelectric Heat Pump for Prenursery Pigs

Abstract

Mathematical formulation of the animal thermal status has been developed, with the account of two convenience conditions and heat balance, for the floor-mounted heating panel for prenursery pigs. The borders of the heat flux variation range for the floor-mounted heating panel have been determined corresponding to the animal-friendly conditions for prenursery pigs of various age groups. The block diagram of the energy-saving floor-mounted heating panel, comprising the thermoelectric assembly operating in the heat pump mode, has been designed. The method has been described and the corresponding calculations have been made for the basic thermal parameters of the floor-mounted local heating installation, for prenursery pigs, with the application of a thermoelectric heat pump. The experimental installation sample of 116 W thermal capacity (for the heat transfer coefficient from 0.9 W·m−2·K−1 to 1.0 W·m−2·K−1 and floor temperature in the range of 5 °C to 6 °C) has been developed and manufactured for local heating for prenursery pigs managed in gestation crates. Laboratory tests of the experimental sample of the floor-mounted heating panel have demonstrated high energy efficiency of the heating installation under development. The energy-saving effect (approx. 15% compared to the series-produced equipment designed for local heating of young stock) of the developed installation was achieved owing to the partial heat recuperation of the exhaust ventilating air.